Usui Tibetan Reiki

Level IIIa (ART) ManualThe Usui Tibetan Level IIIa was added in a few years back.  It was conceived of and is called a level of "Personal Mastery".  It is often taught as "advanced Reiki" but in reality is neither advanced nor technically is it Reiki.  It is rather a number of new age add-on techniques (ala Alice Bailey, Hermetic Magick, Wicca, Shaminism, Crystal use and/or magick, and various channeled materials.  These techniques and other methods taught here are not Tibetan and not from any Japanese Reiki lineage. These were all developed by Western Reiki Teachers since 1980.  Many people loosely group these together as "non-traditional" Reiki. The most common of these are a Reiki Symbol Meditation, a Goal Manifestation Technique, a Reiki Crystal Grid, a Technique to meet your "Reiki Guides", a Healing Attunement, a Psychic Surgery Technique, and the Antahkarana symbol and Meditation.  There is also a revisionist history that Reiki comes from "Tibet".

Most of this material comes from one of three sources.  The first would be from Arthur Robertson and his Raku Kei Reiki.  Mr. Robertson was a student of Iris Ishikuro who was one of Takata's masters.  Mr. Robertson was the first to change from Mrs. Takata's teachings and add in the so-called "Tibetan" material.  William Rand was the second to significantly deviate from Mrs. Takata's teachings and incorporate this "Tibetan" material.  Diane Stein is the other main source of this material in her book "Essential Reiki".

I have often seen those teaching level IIIa claim that the level IIIa class "deepens the connection with the Reiki Source", or "people who take level IIIa are better healers", or "most people do not want to teach and so this level of 'personal mastery' enables them to practice more fully as Reiki practitioners".    Reiki *is*.  It is the nature of Reiki to always do what is needed, to do what must be done rather than what our ego desires it to do.

For those reading through my many meanderings, understand that I do not teach any of the "Tibetan" material, and it is provided here for your reference only.  BEing Reiki is being Reiki, in the moment, now, in every breath.  It is without control, expectation, attachment to outcome, just doing and being what is, as you are, now, in this moment.  In that light, using crystals to "strengthen" Reiki, or as talismans leads to a focus on the external and control.  Extra symbols are merely other "things" to focus on that do not enhance  but distract and give the illusion that if you have more you have better.  Reiki "guides" again lead us to look outside ourselves, to wonder what the "guides" want, to wonder and worry about what the "guides" are trying to tell us.  We anthropomorphize our intuition, needs and wants and then look to that to tell us our answers.  Special healing "techniques" lead us to believe that we are controlling what cannot be controlled.

Reiki Advanced Techniques (R.A.T.) OR

Techniques of Advanced Reiki  (T.A.R)

Reiki "Advanced" Techniques ( R.A.T) or Techniques of Advanced Reiki (T.A.R.) are  techniques added to traditional Usui Reiki from a number of sources, as previously discussed.  These techniques are neither advanced, necessary or technically Reiki.  During the time that Mrs. Takata was teaching, the practice of Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki in America, was consistent and fairly standardized. Mrs. Takata died in 1980. After Mrs. Takata's death, people began to question pricing and various practices in Reiki. The first major influence, as previously stated was from Arthur Robertson.  It was he that changed the attunement structure, added in the "Tibetan" symbols, the macrocosmic orbit (i.e., hui yin), the Breath of the Fire Dragon (also known as the Golden Breath of Violet Breath) and the Kidney breaths.  Others added additional material.

Many people that practice Reiki, have in their searching experienced other systems on their journey. These might include Wicca, Hermetic Magic, Kaballah, Crystals, Meditation, Tibetan Buddhist Practices, and everything in between. Some Reiki Masters began experimenting with this simple art of Reiki, and adding everything under the sun into it. New symbols were added. People began speculating then stating Reiki came from Tibet, Egypt, Atlantis, and whole new arts were built onto the framework of what was Reiki.

New styles emerged. Styles such as Usui/Tibetan Reiki, Vajra Reiki (was Johre Reiki), Blue Star Reiki, Karuna ReikiÔ , Tera Mai ReikiÔ , Seichim Reiki, Lightarian ReikiÔ, Siddheartha ReikiÔ , and more on and on and on.  Some added new symbols, others modified the attunement process, still others changed the focus from a healing art to a tool for ascension work or self-development, or for "Galactic Healing". Some of these arts claim to be "higher frequency energy", or "more powerful", or even enlightenment producing!

Understand that none of these techniques are necessary to practice Reiki effectively, and none of them were used in Japan.  Some Reiki Masters question the validity of these practices, or the inclusion of them under the descriptor "Reiki". I will list some of the more common modifications and Reiki Advanced Practices (RAT) here, as well as some other Techniques of Advanced Reiki (T.A.R.). Try them if you choose. If you find them useful, add them to your practices. Here you will find some of what are commonly referred to as "advanced" techniques.

Reiki Symbol Meditation

Reiki Symbol Meditation is meditation using the Reiki Symbols. It is a hybrid of meditation and visualization that is half attunement and half meditation. It is designed to increase the connection to the Reiki source by meditating on the symbols. Knowing this is the process, those of you who are familiar with meditation could easily fashion your own meditation on the symbols, visualizing the symbols and meditating on the connection to the Reiki source. Experiment and explore. These practices are not written in stone, and were developed by other people, just like you. Their ways are no better (or no worse?!!) than yours.

To do this meditation, use guidelines that anyone doing meditation of any sort might follow. Get yourself into a comfortable position. Sitting in a comfortable chair that allows your spine to be erect is good. Placing your hands on your lap and having your feet comfortably touch the floor generally works well. Relaxing the body using some deep breathing, or muscular relaxation can sometimes help.

As with all meditation, if your mind wanders while meditating, allow the thoughts to slip away, paying them no mind, and gently refocus. Having done that, breathe slow and deep, shut your eyes and focus on the feeling of Reiki. Sometimes it helps to allow that sensation to begin in your palms. Allow the Reiki to pour into you and intend that it do so. Let your mind stay on this sensation and feeling. Now allow the loving feel of the Reiki Source to be with you as the Reiki energy flows into you. Stay with this feeling for a time and then when you are ready, you can begin to meditate on the symbols.

The first symbol we will use is the Master symbol. Either draw it in front of you or visualize it in your mind. Say the name of the symbol (either out loud or in your head). Visualize the symbol as golden, intensely bright and empowered with the loving energy of the Reiki source. Allow it to flow into you, and for any message it might have for you to manifest. Stay focused on the symbol and the Reiki flow and the source. The Master symbol is the symbol of empowerment, and of the Great Shining Light. Allow the symbol and energy to show you what that means. Stay with this as long as you feel comfortable.

When you are ready, do the same with the Power Symbol, the Mental/Emotional Symbol, and the Distance Symbol. You can so the meditation with all four symbols in one setting, or my personal preference is to only work with one symbol per session and increase the time meditating on that symbol. The connection feels more personal that way.

When you are finished, draw all four symbols in front of you saying their names. That the Reiki source for sharing this with you. At this point, you are likely to be filled with energy and this would be a good time to work on doing self-treatments, treating others, doing distant healing, manifesting goals, charging your Reiki crystals, or watching reruns of "Green Acres". (no really!!!, Arnold the pig helps ground people. Ok, so that was a bad joke. However, grounding yourself is important! If you are not grounded, you might find yourself light headed and dizzy after this meditation.  Find something that is grounding and do it. You can place your palms on the earth, go for a walk, visualize roots running to the center of the earth and connecting, drink water or whatever works for you. You can also put your tongue on the soft palate (just behind the teeth), draw the power symbol on the feet, that hara (just below the naval) and the palms. Place your palms on the hara and concentrate on that area for a few minutes. This tends to bring the excess energy from the upper chakras and into the hara. Any method of grounding works and keeps the dizzies from happening!

There are an infinite number of possibilities of Reiki Meditations available. You can do it focusing only on the connection to the Reiki source. You can add other meditative practices such as light body meditations, or Mer-Ka-Ba. Experiment and know that your modifications are just as good and valid as anyone else's, they just cost less!

Manifesting Goals

Goal Manifestation is another new age technique that is also common in Magick and Wicca. It is an active utilization that focuses on the desires of ego to get what one wants or bring about some desired outcome.  Because these represent attachment in Buddhist thought, they would seem to be incongruous with the gentle art of Reiki, where one does by not doing.  No attachment to the outcome is a maxim in Reiki.  This technique would see to not be in concurrence with this.

For those that wish to know this material, the teaching of Manifestation grids is as follows.

There are several methods available to help use Reiki and the Reiki symbols to manifest goals.  Advocates of these techniques feel that they can help manifest changes in your life. Manifestation practices can be done alone, or after doing a Reiki Meditation like the one described above. No matter what method you use to manifest goals, always be ethical in what you ask for.

Sit and relax, breathing gently and deeply. Either out loud or to yourself, say your goal. State it in such a way that their can only be one interpretation and cannot be misinterpreted. Connect to the Reiki energy. Draw the symbols on your palms. In your mind, create a mental movie, or mental image of this goal being accomplished. Draw the Reiki symbols on the mental picture starting with the power symbol and ending with the power symbol. Repeat this same procedure for each goal you wish to accomplish. When you are finished, say (out loud or in your mind) "If this be possible within Divine love and wisdom, then let it be so." Finish by drawing all the Reiki symbols again on the visualization and sealing it with a power symbol. Believe totally that this process is done and that this goal is already being manifested.

Another Manifestation technique is a Manifestation Triangle. This technique is a better choice for those who are not as good with visualization techniques. Also, because it involves writing, it is more concrete and can help focus you on what you truly want. The first step is to draw a triangle. At the bottom left hand corner write the person's name that this manifestation is to be for (yourself or someone else). Next, at the top of the triangle, write what you want to happen. This should be the best possible solution to the situation. The situation and person's name should be specific. You can say "This will manifest for the highest good of (person's name)". Next, at the bottom right hand corner, write the situation. After setting up your triangle, and writing out the name, solution and situation, draw a power key symbol over each corner. Draw a power symbol over the whole triangle. Place your hands on the triangle picture and do Reiki on it, intending it to manifest.

Reiki Crystal Grid

The advocates of this procedure believe that a crystal grid can be created and charged with Reiki energy.  These practices seem to come from new age crystal practices, and from spell work and magick. It is thought that it  will continue to send Reiki energy for healing, protection, or to assist with goal manifestation for several days or longer.  The idea of using charged objects to bring about a desired outcome for the user or wearer is nothing new.  Talismans have been used throughout recorded history.  These techniques are generally from magical traditions.  Psychologists believe that there is a self-fulfilling prophecy regarding the wearing of such objects as well as a placebo effect.

This technique was developed to set up a continuous flow of Reiki energy for healing or protection by using crystals and the Reiki energy.  This technique did not exist in Reiki Ryoho in Japan, and was not part of the Hayashi-Takata Usui Shiki Ryoho, but like most of the add-on's was developed after the death of Mrs. Takata.   It is not my belief that you can empower a grid to continuously send Reiki.  It is also my opinion that Reiki is a loving connection between the harmony of the universe, the sender

and the receiver.  Rocks would seem to lack that connection.  I do not teach this practice.  It is included here for your reference.

To make the Reiki Grid you need eight crystals.  (There are many books on crystal selection with rather lengthy guidelines about how to select the "perfect" crystal for you.)  For our purposes, the easiest method of crystal selection is to pick the crystals up and just see how they feel to you.  Try not to so much "think" about this as "feel" it.  Send some Reiki into the crystal and see how that feels as well, allowing your intuition to guide you.  Most new age shops and many science or hobby shops sell crystals.  Regular Rose Quartz, or White Quartz tumbled smooth stones are sufficient for the purpose of making this grid and are inexpensive.

You will also need a picture of the person that the grid will send to or protect.

After you have the stones, they will need to be cleansed. Some crystal experts believe you should cleanse them in clear water and then leave them in the sun and moon light for a period of three days.  Other experts believe it is best to place them in rock or sea salt or salt water for 24 hours.  Say a prayer over them after you have put them in the salt or salt water, asking that they be purified for your highest spiritual good.

Choose a place for the Reiki Grid.  The best location is one where others do not go so that the grid is not disturbed.   Take the eight crystals that you have cleansed, and choose the one that seems the strongest.  This will be the Master Charging Crystal.  For your central (Master) crystal, you may want to choose a double terminated crystal, a cluster, a pyramid or a crystal ball.  (Some practitioners conceptualize this in terms of yin and yang.  You are looking for the crystal that is the most yang or having the strongest male energy.)  Next, place six of the crystals at equal points around a circle about 10 to 12 inches in diameter.  This creates a hexagon or six sided figure.  Place the last crystal in the center. This makes seven stones in the design in total.  The eighth will be used as the Master crystal.  Play with the arrangement until it feels right.

This arrangement uses a six sided figure.  It is possible to construct them in any geometric  shape.  Various Magick traditions such as Wicca and Hermetic Magick attribute different meanings to the various shapes.  Choose one that best represents what you are trying to accomplish.

Take a picture of yourself or the person that you want to send Reiki to.  Draw the four Reiki Symbols on the back, the person's name, and an affirmation to help empower and set the intent of the  process.  Be creative.   You can use a piece of paper with a goal, intent or need on it instead of a picture.  Draw out the four Reiki Symbols on the paper and then Reiki it between your hands and place it within the crystal Grid. The belief is that the Grid will continuously send Reiki to heal the person or bring about the goal.

At this point you have the purified crystals and your prepared picture.  The next step is to charge the crystals with the Reiki energy. This is very simple to do.  Take each crystal into your hands and send Reiki into it for about 10 minutes or so.  Do this with each crystal, one at a time until all of them are done.  You can also say prayers, or ask your Reiki or spiritual guides to assist you while you are charging them.  Another way to charge them is to do a Reiki Attunement on each crystal or do an attunement on the grid once it is completed.

Once the crystals are charged put each back in its place on the grid.  Put the Master Crystal in last.  It is suggested that you not move the crystals after they are in place as it will weaken the energy connections.

The Master Crystal is used to keep your Reiki Grid charged.  This stone can be recharged when needed by holding it in the hand during a Reiki meditation, beaming Reiki into it, or re-attuning it.  To finish the grid hold the Master crystal in your right hand.  Starting at the top, begin to connect the dots that are formed by the crystals on the grid.  You will be starting at the top and making six triangles as you connect the imaginary lines between the stones on the outside and the center stone.  Move around the Grid in a counterclockwise direction.   You can also say an affirmation or mantra as you do this.  Some masters meditate with they Master Crystal frequently to keep their Reiki Grid charged up.

Reiki Guide Meditation

This technique is commonly taught in the Level IIIa classes of the Usui/Tibetan School and has been popularized by authors such as William Rand and Diane Stein.  Reiki Guides were not part of Traditional Reiki as taught by Usui. Like most of the "add-on" material, Reiki Guides and the belief in them were added on by other masters in the west after the death of Mrs. Takata and were never used by Usui. This material seems to have been taken from various native American Shaman traditions and like most of these "advanced" techniques, tries to teach one part of a greater system and fit it into Reiki.

Understand that Reiki works without "guides" and that guides are not necessary to practicing Reiki, or doing attunements. Many people use Reiki their entire lives without ever having a guide. There are some authors believe that Reiki "guides" are really the ones that do Reiki, and are the presence doing the attunements and will correct errors made by the Reiki Master during an attunement.

You are Reiki. You are and always have been. How can things like guides, that arise and fall away as objects of mind "give" you Reiki? It might seem that Reiki "guides" again lead us to look outside ourselves rather than looking in.

When you have guides, you might be prone to wonder what the "guides" want, to wonder and worry about what the "guides" are trying to tell us.  We anthropomorphize our intuition, needs and wants and then look to that to tell us our answers and move away from BEing Reiki, to surrendering our conditioned self to more conditioning.

I do not use guides in my practice, nor do I teach them or this procedure.  It is included here for your reference only. 

What follows is one practice of a "connect to your guide" meditation.  Like all meditation practices, find a time alone and a place without distractions.  Sit comfortably in a straight backed chair  with your hands on your thighs.  As you breath in,  see the breath as white light filling every part of your body. As the white light goes through your body with your breath, it collects this tension and is blown out of you with the release of the breath.

Visualize a fountain of white Light descending down over you. This light flows over you and down to the ground. As it touches your energy it collects the negative energy and everything that is not for your highest good.  The Reiki Light transmutes the negative energy into light.  Allow the light to form a protective bubble around you. You are completely surrounded by this bubble of light and you feel safe and protected.

Do some form of systematic muscular relaxation.  One that I use is:

Allow the relaxation to come into the soles of both of your feet at the same time.  Feel your feet relax.  Let the relaxing sensation move up the legs into the ankles, letting the muscles and bones relax.  The relaxing energy moves up the legs into the calves, relaxing them, and then up through the knees into the thighs.  Allow the legs to totally relax, and then let the energy move up into the hips, relaxing the hips. And your legs and hips are totally relaxed.    Now let the relaxing power move up the spine, and a warm feeling of energy moves up the spine as it relaxes the muscles of the back.  The energy moves into the shoulders, and you allow your shoulders to relax.  The energy now moves down the arms, and into the hands, relaxing your upper arms, fore arms, and hands.  Now the energy moves up the neck, relaxing the muscles in the neck and up the head, into the scalp and the head and scalp are relaxed.  The energy moves down over the forehead, and into the jaw, and you are totally relaxed and now ready to start the meditation to meet your guide.  At this point, concentrate on the breathing and let go of all thought.

As you sit in your chair, see a beautiful column of Pure White Light, or a column of Golden Divine Light.  Allow the divine light to come in your presence and then to envelop you, and be with you.  As you gaze at this Light, you see a figure emerging from out of the Light and coming towards you. As they approach,  you start to see more of what they looks like.  You may wish to ask them some questions to help them communicate with you.  As you ask these questions and receive the answers, know that you will remember them clearly upon awakening.  You will both intuit, feel, hear or otherwise receive the answers.  Ask and or notice their gender, size, appearance, shape, smell, form, clothing, etc.

See them come towards you and give you a hand. Note how it feels to meet this being? Are the familiar and do you recognize them from having met them before?   What does their energy feel like to you?

See them sit in front of you. Ask them their name, why they are here for you at this moment in time, what role they are to play in your life, and if they have a specific message for you at this time.  Listen carefully for the answers.

When you feel comfortable with your guide and the answers have come to you, be with your guide for a time and allow the connection and communication between you to deepen.  Some people have a good sense of when it is time to leave and others do not.  You may wish  Ask them how you can recognize their presence the next time and how to ask them for assistance when you need it in the future.   You should not share this  information to anyone. Then, thank your Reiki Guide for making their presence known to you.

Know that your guide will be with you from this time forward, guiding you, protecting you, and assisting you.  In the future, all you need do is acknowledge their presence and ask for their help when you need it.

Start bringing yourself back to the room where you are physically.  When you open your eyes, you will awaken, refreshed, alert, and completely aware.  You have now met your guide. Talk to them in meditations.  Call on them when you need.  This can be as simple as calling their name in your mind.  Also, by  remember the feeling you had of them (energy signature) you can connect with them.

(Author's Note: Be careful what spirits you ask into your life.  Make your own decisions.  Never surrender your will to another human or spirit. Above all else, be careful.)

The Reiki Healing Attunement Background

A Reiki Healing Attunement is a non-initiatory attunement that is given for healing purposes only. It was not a part of traditional Usui Reiki and as such is not necessary

in the least to practice Reiki.  This Attunement was conceptualized to be non-initiatory which means that it is not supposed to initiate the person receiving it into

Reiki. It was thought that it would bring higher frequency energies and more powerful levels of energies into the person than a traditional hands on treatment. (Okay, for those diligent readers who have plowed through all this ranting and raving of mine,

here is your test - How am I going to respond to these "claims"?)

The prime directive of Reiki is that we do not control the energy, Reiki does the healing not us, and Reiki always works for the highest good of the recipient. So…….. using that as a guideline I would have to say that the healing attunement would not work any better at healing than any regular hands on treatment. Indeed, how could it? Reiki does the healing not us, and Reiki decides what is in the highest good of the person, not us, so we cannot control the energy by doing extra special healing attunements.

Please Note: This Attunement as conceptualized is not supposed to initiate the client into Reiki. The inventors of this procedure believe that it is not an Attunement Process for conferring the status of Reiki practitioner, therefore the Reiki Master can utilize this particular process in his or her healing work. It is thought that the reason the Healing Attunement does not initiate the client into Reiki is that the Symbols are not placed into the hands, but instead are placed in the recipient's Heart Chakra. My experience tells me that any attunement confers the status of a Reiki practitioner on a person. (This occurred a number of times after doing the Healing Attunement and having people contact you days later telling you that their hands are very hot, and that when ever they touch themselves or others they become hot and it feels relaxing and pleasant to the receiver. Upon examination and having them try this on me, it appeared that they had received an attunement.) Understand full well when giving this that you are initiating someone into Reiki. If you do this and the person experiences post attunement effects, you are ethically bound to instruct them in Reiki so they understand the gift given them.

It was told to me that the effect of this attunement does not last more than 30 days. That also has not been borne out by my experience. With a willing volunteer, it was found that the effect was still active after several years (and counting) and so please heed the cautionary statement above.

This Reiki Healing Attunement was thought to be a way for a client to be able to remove blockages and is used with a pseudo-therapeutic technique to help the person focus on the "blockage" and why it might be occurring.  As with any attunement, it can remove negative energies from the client's physical body, aura and chakras. It can also help release blocks. It needs to be said that this is what any regular hands on Reiki session or attunement does.

To Utilize the "blockage releasing" potential of the Healing Attunement explain to the person that they must be willing to let go of the block as well as any other effected areas in their life related to the block.  In order for it to be most effective they must be willing to let go and heal and make the necessary changes related to the block.  The client's intent in the attunement should be focused on the issues relating to the block and letting go of it and healing.

This "Healing Attunement" is also conceptualized to help "empower goals".  (For more information about Goal Empowerment and Manifestation of Goals. To do this, discuss with the person what goals they have had trouble achieving, and what might need to be released and healed so it can be achieved.  Realize that there are often unconscious fears and feelings that prevent the person from achieving the goal.  Also, there can be fears that if the goals is accomplished the person may have to make changes in their life which may be uncomfortable or frightening and so they avoid completing that goal.   These blocks and fears can be focused on and released during the healing attunement.

Procedure

Like all attunements, the client should sit in a chair, back erect, with their feet on the floor.  The developers of this technique believe that the recipient's eyes should be closed for the duration of the healing attunement.  This is because they need to focus "inwardly" on achieving their primary purpose.  It is also done so they cannot see the attunement process. 

Prior to starting the Healing Attunement move behind the person and say a silent prayer and state your intent.  You can also ask for the help of your spiritual Guides, Reiki Guides, angels, etc.   Draw the Power symbol on your palm, Crown, and heart Chakras and intend that they be opened to the Light. Draw all six Reiki Symbols in the air in front of you, then you are ready. .

Part One - Move behind the Person

From behind the client make the sign of the Fire Serpent.  This starts from above the head, down the back and spirals at the base of the spine.  Place your hands on their shoulders, or on top of their head for a few moments to develop an energetic rapport with the person.

Contract and hold the Hui Yin, and hold it throughout the entire attunement.  Do the Violet Breath.  (To see the Hui Yin and violet breath,  see the instructions in the Reiki Level III Section of this manual.   Open your hands and exhale into the Crown Chakra, picturing the Tibetan Master Symbol moving from the middle of your head, out with your breath, into their crown chakra.  Move the symbol down through their head, guiding it with your hand, into their heart chakra while saying the name of the Dumo (Tibetan Master Symbol) three times.   (Moving the symbol into the heart chakra is how this differs from a traditional attunement where the symbols go into the base of

the brain.  The developers of this technique believe that means the person will not be Initiated into Reiki.  I believe this to be incorrect.  Read the warnings regarding this which are part of this section.)

Do the same technique with the Usui Master Symbol, this time saying the name of the Usui master symbol three times as you move it from the crown chakra to the heart.  Repeat this with the Power Symbol, the Mental/Emotional Symbol and the Distance Healing Symbol

Part Two - Move to the Front

Draw the Tibetan Symbol over the crown chakra. Say the name of the Dumo three times as you move it from the crown chakra to the third eye chakra.  the heart and then into the solar plexus. Gently tap the top of the head three times with the finger tips.  Repeat this with the  Usui Master Symbol, the Power symbol, the Mental/Emotional symbol, and the Distance Healing Symbol.

Blow toward the Solar Plexus, and gently blow from the Heart, the Third Eye and Crown Chakras. Blow back down to the Solar Plexus, then back up to the Crown. This is one slow even breath.   You are opening the channels when you do this so you can use your hands to help guide the energy.  You can also keep a strong intention to remove and sweep out all negative energy by sweeping out this energy as you blow by making a sweeping motion with the hands.  Sweep it from the aura to the light.

Part Three - Move behind the Person

Look down the head through the crown chakra, and visualize and imagine that you can see the heart.  Look for a soft green, white or pink ball of light.   Place a positive affirmation into the person's heart by repeating it to yourself three times. Intend it to enter the heart and to be accepted by the subconscious mind. Some examples might be  "You are completely healed by Divine Love",  or  "You are empowered by Divine Love and Wisdom"

Place one hand on the back of the person's heart Chakra and your other hand on their shoulder. Say aloud, "I now perfectly seal this healing process with Divine Love and Wisdom"  Picture a door with the Power symbol on it being closed and locked over the Heart Chakra. While you do this, intend, will and feel that the healing process is sealed and complete.   Place your hands on the person's shoulders knowing that you have both been blessed by this process.

Part Four - Move to the Front

Hold your hands at waist level, palms out facing the person, make sure the hui yin is contracted and breath a final breath at the person intending that the energy act as a blessing for the person.  Some masters "program" this attunement to last a specified time for the person to be able to work on the issue.

Antahkarana -Ancient Symbol of Healing

(Author's note -  The Antahkarana exists in several styles of Reiki including the Usui/Tibetan, Tibetan and Raku Kai.  To the best of my knowledge, it did not exist in Usui Reiki.  Although it is claimed to be a "Tibetan" symbol that is most ancient (some even trace it to "Lemuria" 100, 000 years ago!)  I can find no record of its existence as a symbol used for healing  in Tibet or anywhere else.  I showed it to a Tibetan monk I met, who said that he has never seen or heard of it before.  This does not mean that it is not a symbol of antiquity, or that the procedure is ineffective.  It does mean that I cannot substantiate the claims made regarding it. The only background I can find on this symbol is that it appears to have been the work of artist M.C. Escher who drew three dimensional works that folded back on themselves and other innovative and interesting designs.  There has recently been a crop circle noted to be made with this pattern.)

The Antahkarana is reputed to cure everything (although I have repeatedly tried and my beautiful golden mane of hair has not returned and still I have this receding hairline.  Lucky my wife thinks Captain Piccard and his bald head from Star Trek:TNG is sexy, so perhaps this is not necessarily a bad thing......)  Most descriptions I have seen of the Antahkarana describe it as bring in the "spiritual anatomy" of all living things.  It is the connection between your brain and your higher self.  It is thought that if you are to ever grow spiritually, you must develop and heal this connection.  The symbol itself is thought to represent that connection and is thought by its mere presence (i.e., seeing it) to facilitate that connection.    Indeed, just having the thing in sight is supposed to have a beneficial and uplifting effect on the chakras and auras.  It will also increase the efficacy of all healing techniques.  It is thought to complete the Microcosmic orbit by meditating on it, which facilitates a flow of energy to all the chakras.  I have heard of it being used to clear and cleanse crystals of negative energy.

The Antahkarana symbol is a cube shaped symbol.  It has on its surface three "sevens".  These are thought to correspond to the 7 chakras, seven colors, seven tones on the musical scale.  In the apocryphal book of Revelations there are the three sevens of the seven trumpets, the seven candlesticks and the seven seals.  Its energy moves through all dimensions, leading us to out higher self.  It probably corresponded also to the "seven" planets.

The Meditation practice included here is attributed to Tibetan practices.  From the information I was taught, it was said that the monks would use a room lit with seven candles.  An earthen vessel would be in the room.  Its shape was oval.  It contained water.  The oval shaped vessel represented the "cosmic egg" of the universe.  There was a stool that the monk would sit upon, which contained the Antahkarana symbol made out of a silver metal  (This might be a "master frequency plate" or "master frequency generator", that Ralf Jensen developed.  They are for sale at the American Reiki Masters Association(tm).)    Purportedly the monks would sit on the stool and meditate on the Reiki symbols which were on a copper mirror on the other side of the room which would merge the heavenly Reiki energies and the Antahkarana would focus the earth energy blending them in the chakras.

(Author's note - It is highly unlikely that Tibetan Lama Monks would be meditating on "Reiki" symbols, especially the HSZSN and the DKM, which are Japanese Kanji, and Usui himself in his manual, the Usui Reiki Hikkei, states that his Reiki was an original creation.  I know that the Diane Stein fans out there are reminding themselves at this moment that Diane writes that there are 300+ symbols in a monastery in Tibet waiting to be re-

revealed to the world.  However, there is no evidence that Reiki was ever practiced in Tibet.  There is even less evidence that there are multitudes of symbols waiting to be discovered anywhere as there were only four symbols ever practices in Usui's Reiki.  In my opinion, this is what happens when people pass on information to others who pass it on and pretty soon, everyone "knows" it, and all accept it to be true.  They even begin quoting each other as sources!  For more information try my Article on "What is and is not Reiki" , or my article "Reiki History and Commentary".  These articles address this subject in more detail.)

The Antahkarana Symbol

The Antahkarana is reported to be quite a panacea.  It is said to have its own consciousness, to work on the aura, the chakras, the organs, and various other aspects of the energy body.  It is said to connect you to the higher self.   It is like that shampoo that adjusts to what your hair needs; in that it adjusts itself to what you need at the time.   I was taught that it cannot be used for harm, much in the same way Reiki cannot be used for harm.   I was taught you can place it on things, under them, and all sorts of places to assist in healing.

It is primarily used for Meditation, and there are a number of methods for doing that.  The simplest is to gaze on the form on a paper or to make a cube with the image on it and stare at it and meditate.  Some people report that the image will fade in and out of consciousness or that they will see visions.

The size of the image is supposedly related to the masculine and feminine aspects of the image.  It was taught me that a large single image feminine and the smaller symbol was masculine in energy.

A Meditation using the Antahkarana Symbol

This meditation, as it was taught me appears to be like the Reiki Meditation (see above) Section of this manual,  along with some basic Chi Gung Macrocosmic Orbit work.    This process was thought to cleanse the system of negativity, negative energy, and to cleanse the chakras as you circulate the energy.  (Author's note:  Any good meditation or chi Gung practice will do this.)

This meditation is purported to improve your healing skills, open the third eye, increase your clairvoyance, and any other number of wonderments.  The process begins with Using the Reiki Master Symbol  (Author's note:  has anyone but me noticed that most of these additional techniques need the Reiki Symbols/energy to power or empower them?)  

First place the Antahkarana Symbol under your feet.  Next do a complete Reiki Healing Attunement on yourself. Place your hands on your thighs and relax.  Feel the Reiki flow.  Now draw the Usui Master symbol in the air before you.  (Some visualize white light coming from their hand as they draw the symbol.   As you draw the symbol,  say the name of the Usui Master symbol three times.   Keep the image in your mind and meditate on it.     Now Focus your gaze on the Antahkarana Symbol.  Say the name of the symbol three times, and then hold the symbol in your mind's eye and meditate on the symbol.  When you feel done,  focus on the symbols and move them up, into the light, or a field of intense white light.

When this is done, do the Hui Yin, then visualize the Usui Power symbol at the Hara, and then at each chakra all around the channel until you reach the hara again.   This is to clear each chakra.  See the light and Reiki energy at each chakra as you do this.

Level IIIbLevel IIIb generally consists of two parts.  The first teaches the Usui Shiki Ryoho Level III Master material including the Usui Master symbol and its uses.  Second, the "Tibetan" material and symbols was taught.  Click this link to view the Usui Shiki Ryoho Level III Master Manual on this site.  This material should be learned before proceeding.

The Usui/Tibetan Level IIIb teaches the "Tibetan" symbols, and a procedure for attuning others.

Learning and Using The Usui / Tibetan Symbols

The Usui/Tibetan symbols consist of the Fire Serpent, Dumo, and Raku.

DUMOor

"Tibetan Master Symbol"

The Usui/Tibetan styles refer to the Dumo as a "Dai Ko Mio", or the "Tibetan DaiKoMio", although calling the Dumo a "Dai Ko Mio" is a misnomer since they have completely different meanings and the intent of each is different. 

In her book Essential Reiki, Diane Stein stated "that many modern teachers feel that the Traditional Dai Ko Myo Symbol is more in tune with the older time, whereas the nontraditional Symbol flows more closely to the vibrations of today's world and teaching needs." I believe this to be a misunderstanding of the intent of Usui's system and the reason that the Dai Ko Mio was selected as the empowerment symbol for his system. 

Again for clarity, the symbol Diane Stein and the Usui/Tibetan folks call the "non-traditional Dai Ko Mio" or the "Tibetan Dai Ko Mio is actually the Tibetan Medicine Buddha Symbol called "Dumo".  It has a much different meaning that the Dai Ko Mio that Usui intended for his system.

This symbol, DUMO,  is pronounced  "do moe".  It represents the swirling fiery heat of the Kundalini. Dumo or Dumo Fire is the heat which ascends up and over the spine as a result of the Kundalini awakening. It is said that the unification of mind and body produce the emanation of heat.  Dumo is thought to be the igniter of the Sacred Flame or Kundalini fire. It is said that Dumo unifies the mind and body and  works with the fire in the base chakra.  Those who use the Dumo claim that it pulls negative energy and disease out of a body, room, or situation and releases it.  Those that practice with crystals report that it can be used on crystals so that they self-clear.   In these Usui/Tibetan systems, it is used in the attunement process with the Violet Breath where it is visualized in gold.  Although some have claimed that it is the "goddess spiral" it's tradition is drawn from Tibetan Medicine Buddha practices and not from Wiccan based faiths. 

In Usui's Reiki he choose the Dai Ko Mio as the empowerment symbol.  The Dai Ko Mio represents the great shining light. The dkm is used at the Kurama temple (where Usui did his 21 day Lotus Repentance Meditation and had Satori and discovered reiki).  The DKM as used in the Kurama temple is to represent "Sonten".   Sonten is the “Living or Supreme Soul of the universe”.  Sonten is “Glorious Light” or Great Shining Light this is what the DKM represents. At this level, (as one of the meanings of Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen indicate - "God and man are one") one realizes, as a wave is water and the water manifests as wave, that they *are* reiki, they *are* the great shining light and always were and have been. There are some sects in Japan that believe that all the buddhas have emerged in/as/of  Sonten.

While the form of the symbol really matters little, the intent of Usui Sensei's system was based on the understanding of DKM, not on the Tibetan Dumo that others added into the system.

Some see the Dumo as the Goddess Spiral. Coincidentally enough, many of these are people involved with Wicca and other Goddess Religions. The intent of Dumo is not a Wiccan based goddess spiral. (Although Diane Stein draws hers that way.) The Dumo is though to unify the body and mind. It is reported to work with fire in the base chakra by igniting the Sacred flame (i.e., the Kundalini energy). It is believed to pull negative energy and disease from the body and mind.

 

Fire Dragon, Fire Serpent

or Nin Giz Zida

 

The Fire Serpent is thought to open the Chakra system. This allows the Reiki Healing energy to flow into the person receiving the attunement or healing. Typically, it would be drawn down the back of the person receiving at the beginning of an attunement of a healing session.

Raku

Raku is used in passing attunements, but generally not in individual healings. I have seen some authors state that Raku "helps to lift negative Karma, and brings the student to higher levels of consciousness during an attunement. It is used at the end of an attunement to separate the auras and energies of the master and the student.

The Hui Yin and the Violet Breath

The Hui Yin and Violet Breath are generally not considered Traditional Techniques. You can pass attunements either using them or not. Some people feel the attunements feel more powerful when using these techniques. This is most likely because the Hui Yin is a chi kung technique called the Microcosmic Orbit. When using this, your chi becomes part of the mix while doing an attunement. It is my experience that the attunements "feel" stronger when doing them this way.

The Hui Yin The Hui Yin point is located between the anus and the genitals. To do the technique, the point is contracted, and the tongue is placed against the soft palate (behind the upper teeth. I have seem some Masters speculate that when using the Hui Yin and Violet Breath when passing Attunements, a special type of high frequency Chi enters the system and passes through the Hui Yin point, making this a more powerful process.. Some masters go so far as to speculate that this point must be held for the entire time you are doing the Attunements to prevent the Ki from escaping from this point. As with all speculation of this type, no one really knows what the veracity of such claims are. All I can offer is the Usui did not use this process. If you are going to use the Hui Yin, you must practice to develop the muscular control to hold the point for lengthy periods.

To develop this muscle, practice contracting the muscles in this area. Pull gently!!!!!! Do not strain and hurt yourself!!! You can also practice contracting these muscles continuously as you go about your daily activities. As you continue practicing, it will become easier and you will be able to hold them for longer periods of time.

The Violet Breath Visualize a White Mist surrounding you.  Next, contract the Hui Yin point and place your tongue behind the upper teeth. Breath in and imagine a white Light coming down through the crown Chakra, through the tongue, down the front of the body (Functional channel), through the Hui Yin point and up the spine (Governing channel), to the center of the head. Imagine the white mist filling the head. (This is commonly referred to as the Microcosmic orbit). Now, visualize the white Mist turn blue, then indigo blue and begin rotating clockwise. As the Mist rotates see it turn to Violet. In the Violet Light/Mist visualize the Dumo (see it as golden). During the attunement, blow the Dumo Symbol and Violet breath into the student’s crown Chakra and imagine the Symbol moving into the base of the brain as you say the name of the symbol in your mind.

The Attunement

There are many attunement methods. I personally have in my possession over a dozen "Usui" attunements, at least four "traditional" attunements (all different), Usui/Tibetan attunements, Tibetan/Usui attunements, Short forms, and others.

What follows is an attunement set from the Tibetan tradition using the four Usui Symbols and the Dumo, Fire Serpent and Raku. It uses a standard form for all three levels.  This is offered here for your review. As in all things, use the attunement that resonates best with you.

Reiki Tibetan/Usui Attunement

Beginning Begin by saying a "prayer" of intent, either silent or out loud. Ask for the help of the Reiki Source to do a perfect attunement for this person. If you have spirit guides, "reiki" guides, Angels, Ascended Masters, etc., you can ask them to assist that this be a perfect attunement for this persons highest good.

Draw the Power Symbol on your palms, Crown and Heart Chakras, intending them to open to the Reiki Source and Light. Cleanse the room by drawing all six Reiki Symbols in the air in front of you (four Usui Symbols along with the Dumo and Fire Serpent).  This not only can cleanse the room but sets the tone for the beginning as a sacred event.   Contract the Hui Yin and hold it throughout the attunement. (Do not fret if you cannot, it will still work!)

Part One On the back, draw the Fire Serpent from slightly above the top of the head and down the back of the student, ending at the base of the spine. Place both hands on top of the head to get an energetic rapport with the student.

Bring your tongue to behind the teeth, (remember to keep the Hui Yin Held) and do the Violet Breath. Exhale the Violet Breath into the Crown Chakra blowing the Dumo symbol in gold into the Crown Chakra, and move it through the middle of the student's head, and into the base of the brain. Repeat Dai Ko Mio three times as it is moving into the brain. You can guide it with your hand.

Above the head, draw the Usui Master Symbol and again repeat Dai Ko Mio three times. Again visualize the symbol moving into the into the Crown Chakra, through the head and into the base of the brain, guiding it with your hand. Do the same with the Sei Hei Ki and the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen.

Signal the student to raise their hands held in prayer position to the top of their head. Draw the Power Symbol in the air over the hands. Then picture the Symbol moving into the hands, down into the Crown Chakra, through the head, and into in the base of the brain saying the name of the power symbol three times and guiding the Symbol with your hand.  (The Sei Hei Ki and the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen are added for Level II, and the Symbols are added in level III.)

Part Two Move to the front and place the students prayer-held hands in front of the heart. Draw the Power Symbol in the air in front of the middle of forehead (brow or third eye chakra). Then picture the Symbol moving into the brow chakra. Guide it in with the hand if you want. Say the name of the power symbol three times. (For Level II do the same with the Mental/Emotional Symbol and the Distant Symbol. For the Master Level, use all six symbols, remembering to repeat the name of each symbol three times).

Draw the Power Symbol in the air in front of the heart chakra. Then picture the Symbol moving into the heart chakra. Say the name of the power symbol three times. (For Level II do the same with the Mental/Emotional Symbol and the Distant Symbol. For the Master Level, use all six symbols).

Next open the student's hands like the cover of a book so they are next to each other palms up facing the ceiling. Place you left hand under their hands and with your right hand draw out the Power Symbol on the hands on the Palm. Say the name of the power symbol three times. Then lightly slap the hands three times. (Only the Power symbol is placed in the hands in level I, the Distant symbol and mental /emotional symbol are placed in the hands in level II, and all the symbols are placed in the palms in the Master level.)

Bring the student's hands together in prayer position, and move them back in front of the student's Heart. Blow over the hands, down to the Solar Plexus, then up to the Third Eye and Crown, and back over the hands.

Part Three Move behind the student. Place your hands on the student's head. Use a positive affirmation and repeat it to yourself three times, Intend it to be accepted by the student. (Some examples might be: "You are a perfectly attuned", "you are a competent Reiki Healer", or "you are filled with Divine Love and Wisdom", or any other affirmation that is significant to you or the student. You can say them out loud if you prefer.

Open your hands and look down through the Crown Chakra, visualizing through to the root chakra. Intend that the beautiful great shining light of the Reiki Source send a ball of light into the heart and fill all the chakras.

Move your hands to the student's neck, and then place the right hand on top of the head and the left at the base of the skull. Visualize a door and then draw the power symbol on it and see the door being closed. Say to yourself, "I seal this Attunement with Divine Love and Wisdom". Intend that the Process is sealed and complete and the student is now forever connected directly to the Reiki Source. Say, "you forever connected to the Reiki source."

Place your hands on the student's shoulders briefly experiencing the moment with them. Say, "We have both been blessed by this attunement".

Part Four Move back to the front of the student. Hold your palms toward them. Visualize a white mist surrounding you. Breath in and imagine a white Light coming down through the crown Chakra, through the tongue, down the front of the body through the Hui Yin point and up the spine, to the center of the head. Imagine the white mist filling the head. Exhale the white mist while releasing the Hui Yin point and tongue, allowing the final energy of the attunement to bless the student.

Draw the Raku in the air in front of the student. Say, "the attunement is complete".

CLOSING

This concludes the Usui / Tibetan Methods.  These are practices that some masters find a useful addition to the Traditional Western practices in Usui Shiki Ryoho.  These are not necessary to do Reiki, but can be a useful addition to those that this resonates with.  I wish you well in your exploration of Reiki.

Be Well, Be Blessed.